Tampa Initiates Krewe Of Honor

TAMPA BAY

December 5, 1991|By Ed Werder of The Sentinel Staff

Tampa Bay has a legacy of losing but has made plans to honor former coach John McKay and players Lee Roy Selmon and Ricky Bell, who twice participated in the playoffs. The team Wednesday announced the formation of the Buccaneer Krewe of Honor as a method of recognizing those who reflect excellence. The first class of inductees - McKay, Selmon and, posthumously, Bell - will receive commemorative plaques and are to have the likenesses depicted on a mural scheduled to be placed in the southeast corner of Tampa Stadium next year.

McKay and Selmon are scheduled to attend an awards ceremony at halftime of Sunday night's game between the Bucs and Minnesota Vikings. McKay is the most successful coach in team history, with a 44-88-1 regular-season record. Selmon, the team's first-ever draft choice, is the career sack leader with 78 1/2 and played in six consecutive Pro Bowls. Bell, who died from a rare muscle disease, is the team's second-leading career rusher with 3,057 yards. . . .

Bucs starting defensive end Keith McCants and reserve offensive guard John Bruhin missed practice Wednesday because of the flu, coach Richard Williamson said. . . . The team's medical staff is convinced wide receiver Bruce Hill, on injured-reserve after arthroscopic knee surgery, will miss the rest of the season. . . . Although the Bucs are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention Vinny Testaverde will continue to start in front of inexperienced Jeff Carlson. ''I want to try and win the last three this year,'' Williamson said. However, he conceded first-round pick Charles McRae will probably receive playing time at right tackle, though Rob Taylor remains the starter. . . .

The Bucs made a change on their practice team, releasing defensive back Darryll Malone and re-signing wide receiver Linzy Collins. . . . Special teams coach Alan Lowry's name as been mentioned as a candidate to replace David McWilliams as head coach at the University of Texas. Lowry played quarterback there.